Dipper handle assembly for a power shovel

Abstract

An improved yoke for a dipper handle assembly used on a power shovel is provided. The yoke is constructed at least in part of a transition portion and associated lugs that are manufactured of a forged material as opposed to castings. Accordingly, the yoke is less prone to failure and easy to repair in the field.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dipper handle assembly, comprising:
 a tube with a first end and a second end;   a yoke comprising:
 a transition portion interconnected to the first end of the tube, 
 an upper plate interconnected to an outer end of the transition and generally coincident with an upper surface of the transition, 
 a lower plate interconnected to an outer end of the transition and generally coincident with a lower surface of the transition, 
 a wrapper plate interconnecting an outer end of the upper plate and an outer end of the lower plate, 
 a first side plate interconnected to a first lateral end of the upper plate, a first lateral end of the lower plate, and a first lateral end of the transition; 
 a second side plate interconnected to a second lateral end of the upper plate, 
   a second lateral end of the lower plate, and a second lateral end of the transition;   a first lug interconnected to the wrapper plate and an outer end of the first side plate;   a second lug interconnected to the wrapper plate and an outer end of the second side plate;   a first pitch brace lug interconnected to the lower plate; and   a second pitch brace lug interconnected to the lower plate and spaced from the first pitch brace.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transition portion is made of forged material. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert positioned within the transition portion. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transition portion has an aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a collar located about a portion of the transition portion, the collar being interconnected to the transition portion by a pin that interfaces with the aperture. 
     
     
         6 . A dipper handle assembly, comprising:
 a tube with a first end and a second end;   a yoke comprising:
 a transition portion interconnected to the first end of the tube, 
 an upper plate interconnected to an outer end of the transition, 
 a lower plate interconnected to an outer end of the transition, 
 a wrapper plate interconnecting an outer end of the upper plate and an outer end of the lower plate, 
 a substantially planar first side plate interconnected to a first lateral end of the upper plate, a first lateral end of the lower plate, and a first lateral end of the transition, and 
 a substantially planar second side plate interconnected to a second lateral end of the upper plate, a second lateral end of the lower plate, and a second lateral end of the transition. 
   
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a first pitch brace lug interconnected to the lower plate; and
 a second pitch brace lug interconnected to the lower plate and spaced from the first pitch brace.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the transition portion is made of forged material. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising an insert positioned within the transition portion. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the transition portion has an aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a collar located about a portion of the transition portion, the collar being interconnected to the transition portion by a pin that interfaces with the aperture. 
     
     
         12 . A power shovel, comprising:
 a boom assembly;   a saddle block interconnected to the boom assembly; and   a dipper handle assembly operably interconnected to the saddle block, the dipper handle assembly comprising:
 a tube with a first end and a second end; and 
 a yoke comprising:
 a transition portion interconnected to the first end of the tube, 
 an upper plate interconnected to an outer end of the transition, 
 a lower plate interconnected to an outer end of the transition, 
 a wrapper plate interconnecting an outer end of the upper plate and an outer end of the lower plate, 
 a substantially planar first side plate interconnected to a first lateral end of the upper plate, a first lateral end of the lower plate, and a first lateral end of the transition, and 
 a substantially planar second side plate interconnected to a second lateral end of the upper plate, a second lateral end of the lower plate, and a second lateral end of the transition. 
 
   
     
     
         13 . The power shovel of  claim 12 , wherein the yoke further comprises a first pitch brace lug interconnected to the lower plate, a second pitch brace lug interconnected to the lower plate and spaced from the first pitch brace and wherein the first lug and the second lug are operatively interconnected to an upper portion of a dipper bucket, and the first pitch brace and the second pitch brace are operatively interconnected to a bottom portion of the dipper bucket. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the transition portion of the yoke is made of forged material. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the yoke is further comprised of an insert positioned within the transition portion. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the transition portion of the yoke has an aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a collar located about a portion of the transition portion, the collar being interconnected to the transition portion by a pin that interfaces with the aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The power shovel of  claim 12 , wherein the transition portion of the yoke is at least partially hollow. 
     
     
         19 . The power shovel of  claim 12 , wherein the wrapper plate is arcuate.